Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India's West Bengal state. Founded as an East India Company trading post,
it was India's capital under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site.
Kolkata is known for its culture, history, and architecture, and is often called India's cultural capital. It's also known as the "City of Joy".
Kolkata grew rapidly in the 19th century to become the second most important city of the British Empire after London and was declared as the financial (commercial) capital of the British India. This was accompanied by the fall of a culture that fused Indian philosophies with European tradition.
Kolkata, the city which has a portion of India's most experienced institutions, records 41 among India's 1000 Most Trusted making it the fifth-best schooling hub in India.
Kolkata is considered a good place for education in India. It's home to many educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities.
Why to study at Kolkata?
Diverse Academic Disciplines:
1.From humanities and arts to engineering, medicine, and management, Kolkata offers programs across a wide range of disciplines.
2.Universities like Jadavpur University are globally recognized for fields like engineering, literature, and social sciences.
Networking and Career Opportunities:
Kolkata is a major economic center in eastern India with opportunities in sectors like IT, media, education, and finance.
Several companies have their headquarters in Kolkata, providing internships and placements for students.
Public Transport and Connectivity:
The city is well-connected by public transport like buses, metro, trams, and affordable cabs, making commuting easy and cost-effective for students.
Educational System in Kolkata
Vocational and Technical Education :
1.Kolkata offers technical and vocational courses through institutions like Polytechnic Colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and private training centers.
2.Programs in IT, fashion design, animation, and hospitality management are popular among students seeking skill-based careers.
Medical Education:
Kolkata is home to prestigious medical colleges, such as:
1.Calcutta Medical College: The first medical college in India.
2.R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
3.Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER).
Funding Resources for Education:
Scholarship scheme for higher education in West Bengal:
The Kanyashree K3 scheme, students must have undergraduate degree with at least 45% marks and has to take admission in any Postgraduate course under any University. Open/Distance University students are not eligible for this Kanyashree K3 scholarship.
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The Ministry of Education, Government of India has initiated Programme Vidyanjali to help meritorious and deserving students pursuing higher education. A Not-for-Profit Company, the Vidyanjali Foundation, has been set up under Section 8 of the Companies Act 1956 to address this in a focused manner.
STUDENT CREDIT CARD:
Eligibility for a student credit card typically includes being enrolled in a recognised educational institution, being of legal contract age (usually 18 in India), and having a stable bank account. For certain situations, some cardholders may require parental consent or a co-signer, if they are under a certain age.
Government Aided education for Women:
In Kolkata, several government-aided initiatives and institutions support women's higher education:
Annual Scholarship: Girls aged 13 to 18, studying in classes 8 to 12 in government-aided or recognized schools, can receive a yearly scholarship of ₹750. This scholarship is renewable annually, provided the girl remains enrolled and performs satisfactorily.
One-Time Grant: Unmarried girls who have reached 18 years of age can apply for a one-time grant of ₹25,000 to support their higher education or vocational training.
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences: This scholarship supports single girl children pursuing full-time research in social sciences.
Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child: Aimed at promoting postgraduate education among single girl children.
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Increasing Employment Opportunities:
Government Initiatives:
1.West Bengal Urban Employment Scheme: This program aims to provide employment opportunities in urban areas by creating and maintaining civic infrastructure, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
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2.Yuvashree Scheme: Implemented by the West Bengal government, this scheme offers financial assistance to unemployed youth, supporting them until they secure stable employment.
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Infrastructure and Industry Growth:
1.Information Technology (IT) Hubs: The development of IT hubs in Salt Lake Sector V and New Town has attracted numerous national and international companies, creating a plethora of job opportunities in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors.
2.Bengal Silicon Valley Tech Hub: Currently under construction, this ambitious project aims to generate approximately 100,000 direct jobs upon completion, focusing on sectors like IT, data centers, e-commerce, and research and development.
Educational Resources:
Kolkata will now be a haven for literary wisdom. In addition to westernised literature and culture, Kolkata has knowledge as an indigenous artefact, which includes ‘Bengali’ books, novels, scriptures, and so on. So here is the list of 10 best libraries of Kolkata for your next visit:
- National Library
- British Council Library
- Vivekananda Pathagar
- State Central Library
- American Library
- RamaKrishna Mission Institute of Cultural Library
- IIM Library
- Boy’s own Library
- Chaitanya Library
- Asiatic Society Library
Job Expo and Career Development Programs:
Job Fair at Park Circus Maidan: Conducted to assist unemployed youths in securing positions with reputable corporations, this fair attracted over 4,000 applicants. It included training programs to enhance candidates' employability.
Global Education Career Fair 2025: Scheduled for January 29, 2025, at The Lalit Great Eastern in Kolkata, this fair provided attendees the opportunity to meet representatives from top universities and receive spot offer letters.
Milan Utsav 2025: Organized by the West Bengal Minorities' Development & Finance Corporation, this event took place from January 3 to 7, 2025. It featured a job fair, workshops, and cultural events, offering a platform for job seekers to engage with various organizations.
Job fairs like these are often organized.
Career Development Programs:
Centre for Career Development at IISER Kolkata: This center assists students with career planning, exploration, graduate school advising, job search strategies, and facilitates on-campus interviews for full-time employment and internships.
Army Institute of Management Kolkata: The institute conducts sessions focusing on essential career skills, including effective communication, active listening, and impactful presentation techniques, aimed at preparing students for the professional world.
Intek Career Development Training Institute: Located on Elliot Road, this institute offers full-time undergraduate diploma programs in IT and Software, designed to equip students with industry-relevant skills.
Top Government Colleges in Kolkata:
RANK | COLLEGE | FEES | AVERAGE PACKAGE | HOSTEL FEES |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
₹12,000 per year | ₹9.80 LPA | ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 per year |
2 | |
₹5,000- ₹20,000 per year | ₹4–₹6 LPA | ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 per year |
3 | ![]() |
₹10,000-₹20,000 per year | ₹3–₹4 LPA | ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 per year |
4 | ![]() |
₹10,000- ₹20,000 per year | ₹3–₹4 LPA | ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 per year |
5 | ![]() |
₹20,000-₹60,000 per year | ₹5–₹10 LPA | ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 per year |
6 | ![]() |
₹2.5 – ₹3.5 Lakhs per year | ₹15–₹50 LPA | ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 per year |
7 | ![]() |
₹10,000 – ₹20,000 per year | ₹3–₹5 LPA | ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 per year |
8 | ![]() |
₹6,000 – ₹12,000 per year | ₹2–₹8 LPA | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 per year |
9 | |
₹15,000 – ₹25,000 per year | ₹8–₹20 LPA | ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 per year |
10 | ![]() |
₹23 – ₹25 Lakhs | ₹26 LPA | ₹1.5 – ₹2 Lakhs |
Admission Process:
For UG programs like B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, or professional courses such as B.Tech and MBBS:
- Eligibility
- Completion of 10+2 or equivalent education from a recognized board.
- Minimum percentage requirements vary by institution and program.
- Some programs may have subject-specific eligibility criteria.
- Admission Methods:
- Many colleges in Kolkata, such as those affiliated with the University of Calcutta, admit students based on their Class 12 board exam results.
- An online application is typically required through the college or university's official admission portal.
1.Merit-Based Admission:
- 2.Entrance Exam-Based Admission:
- Engineering: JEE Main, WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam) scores are used for admission to engineering programs.
- Medical: NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is required for MBBS and BDS programs.
- Other Courses: Certain universities like Presidency University Kolkata conduct entrance exams such as PUBDET (Presidency University Bachelor’s Degree Entrance Test).
For PG programs like M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, MBA, or M.Tech:
- Eligibility:
- Completion of a relevant undergraduate degree from a recognized university.
- Minimum percentage requirements vary based on the program.
- Admission Methods:
- Some universities, like University of Calcutta, admit students based on UG performance, especially for programs in arts and sciences.
1.Merit-Based Admission:
- 2.Entrance Exam-Based Admission:
- General Courses: Universities like Jadavpur University and Presidency University Kolkata conduct PG entrance tests such as PUMDET (Presidency University Master’s Degree Entrance Test).
- Professional Courses:MBA: Scores from CAT, MAT, XAT, or CMAT are considered.
- M.Tech: GATE scores are accepted for engineering PG courses.
Cost of Living:
Area of expense | Price range |
---|---|
Rent (shared apartment) | ₹1,300 to ₹15,000 per month |
Rent (single room PG) | ₹3,000 to ₹25,000 per month |
Food (monthly) | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per month |
Transportation (monthly) | ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month |
Utilities (monthly) | ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per month |
Wi-Fi | Starts from ₹399 |
Miscellaneous | ₹ 2,000 - ₹4,000 |
Bus Pass/Metro Pass | Starts from ₹250 |